United undone by Wally good play

United 1 – 3 Point

Match Details Here

The Reds continued their winning start to the league campaign with a battling win at Goathill against a determined young Stornoway United. The first half was one to forget for the Reds (again), but in the second half it was mostly one way traffic and Wally in particular gave the United defence a torrid time.

First half

Having beaten Westside in their opening game, the Reds arrived in the Capital in good spirits and the Maracana of Lewis football looked in good nick for the time of year. The Reds started out well but struggled with the final pass or got crowded out by the energetic bees, for whom ex Red Grant Stewart was doing his Duracell Bunny impression that I remember well from U14’s. After 10 minutes United forced a corner on the right following some sloppy Point defending. The corner was taken short and delivered into the box via a deflection. As the ball bobbled around, it was none other than the Duracell Bunny who was first to react and force the ball over the line. United 1 v 0 Point. “Shokin defendin” as Alan Hansen would say.

As the half wore on it became apparent that the Reds would need to improve as United were fairly comfortable, and indeed made a couple of lightening raids into Rudhach territory, with Ross Allison in particular looking dangerous. From one such attack Allison found himself one on one with Wrighty but the “Green Goblin of Garrabost” psyched out the youngster who hit the outside of the post. It was a huge relief for the Reds as that would have left us with a huge mountain to climb, bigger than the Clisham!

Finally the Reds started to get their act together and Duncan “Monchengladbach” Hunter cut inside and  hit a cracking shot which the United keeper did well to parry to safety. Then after 44 mins, following a mix up at the back, Wally nipped in between the goalie and defender before squaring the ball to Sam who sidefooted over the line. It had taken a mistake by United but we were level! United 1 v 1 Point

Halftime
At halftime we reminded the boys to relax on the ball a bit more and that there should be more opportunity to find space as the United defence and midfield tired.
There was no coffee or tea but Scotty Bonbon had come with Sportsmix and Bonbons (I think they were lemon).

Second half

The Reds came out in determined fashion and Wally and Sam were combining well down the right. Kettings and Ali G both entered the fray after an hour and this seemed to give the Reds an extra boost. Indeed , just after the hour Wally floated in a cracking free kick from the right which Stu Flower won and headed back across the goal. Everybody stopped except for Sam the Man who had the easiest task of tapping home for his second. It was weird as he was the only one to react and it was like the Ref had blown, but he hadn’t and the goal counted and everything in the Rudhach garden was rosy! United 1 v Point 2.

The Reds continued to dominate and after 70 mins Elliot scored his first competitive goal in a Rudhach jersey and what a cracker it was. Great combination play down the right led to Wally tearing away along the touchline. Whilst running at full pace he put in a beautiful cross for the onrushing Rudall who must have had a smile on his face as he saw the ball coming in at head height. The goalie had no chance as Elliot buried it in the bottom corner. What a beauty!
The remainder of the game was fairly comfortable for the Reds and Wally had a strong penalty claim denied near full time but in the end it was a good three points against a stubborn United team, for whom youngsters Chris Dempster and Seumas Maciver did well in centre defence.

Point team: Wrighty, Mowgli, Stephen C, Alex L, Alexander, Spike, Stu F, Elliot, Sam, Wally, Dunc. Subs: Rab, Donald G, Ali G, Stephen K, Ruari.

Point man of the match: Wally Maciver. Unstoppable second half and 2.5 assists.

Moment of match: After the first game I had the unenviable task of washing the filthy brand new strips. I read the instructions, looked up the internet and went for a cotton wash at 40 degrees for 2hrs… still manky. Hmmmm OK after consultation with wife and mum in law I put some vanish on every single strip and short and tried again at 50 degrees. Almost perfect, nice one, no one will notice. Folded them ready for game day. 6pm, Elliot “new boy” Rudall goes to put his kit on, “who the #$@& washed these!! They’re still manky.”  Oh well…..Hospital laundry from now on.